System and method for fragmented reveal of a multimedia content

Abstract

A method and system are described for fragmented presentation of a media content, such as a digital picture. In an exemplary embodiment, the media content is rendered on a display of a recipient portable computing device, such as a smartphone. Simultaneously, a masking layer is rendered on the display “over the top” of the multimedia content. The mask layer obscures the presentation of the media content such that removal of the mask layer, one fragment at a time over a period of time, operates to present portions of the media content rendered below each fragment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for fragmented presentation of a media content, comprising:
 receiving a media content at a recipient device; 
 receiving a snippet algorithm, by the recipient device, corresponding to the media content, wherein the snippet algorithm is remotely configured; 
 rendering the media content with a mask layer that obscures a presentation of the media content on a display of the recipient device, wherein the mask layer is operated according to the remotely configured snippet algorithm; and 
 removing the mask layer according to the remotely configured snippet algorithm, wherein removal of a mask layer fragment operates to present a portion of the media content rendered below the fragment, 
 wherein the remotely configured snippet algorithm is enabled to operate the mask layer with at least the following parameters: 
 a number of fragments that form the mask layer, 
 a rate of fragment removal, and 
 an order of fragment removal, and 
 wherein the parameters of the snippet algorithm are determined based on, at least in part, a characteristic of at least one of the following: the recipient device and an intended recipient associated with the recipient device, and wherein the parameters of the remotely configured snippet algorithm are remotely modifiable subsequent to the receipt of the media content by the recipient device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remotely configured snippet algorithm is modifiable via a remote device such that the removal of the mask layer is altered. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising modifying the remotely configured snippet algorithm via communication of instructions from the remote device to the recipient device. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein modifying the remotely configured snippet algorithm comprises one of receiving payment of a fee, displaying an advertisement content, and determining a location of the recipient device. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein a rate of removing the mask layer is user selectable by an operator of the remote device. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the recipient device is in the form of a mobile computing device. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising defining the parameters of the snippet algorithm, at least in part, by actions taken by the intended recipient associated with the recipient device. 
     
     
       8. A system for fragmented presentation of a media content, comprising:
 a first device configured to:
 receive the media content from a remotely located second device, 
 receive a snippet algorithm associated with the media content from the second device, wherein the snippet algorithm is determined based on, at least in part, a characteristic of at least one of the following: the first device and an intended recipient associated with the first device, 
 render the media content on a display of the first device, 
 render a mask layer on the display according to the snippet algorithm, wherein the mask layer obscures a presentation of the media content, and 
 remove the mask layer at least one fragment according to the snippet algorithm, wherein removal of a mask layer fragment operates to present a portion of the media content rendered below the fragment; and 
 
 the second device configured to:
 transmit, to the first device, the media content; 
 transmit, to the first device, the snippet algorithm associated with the media content, the algorithm being configured to control the operation of the mask layer on the first device, and 
 transmit, to the first device, computer-executable instructions to configure parameters of the snippet algorithm, the computer-executable instructions being enabled to configure:
 a quantity of fragments for the mask layer, 
 a rate of fragment removal for the mask layer, and 
 an order of fragment removal for the mask layer, 
 
 wherein the parameters of the snippet algorithm are modifiable subsequent to the transmission of the media content to from the second device. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the snippet algorithm is modifiable, in subsequent transmissions of the snippet algorithm between the second device and the first device, such that the removal of the mask layer is altered. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , further comprising means for modifying the snippet algorithm by the first device. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the modifying the snippet algorithm by the first device comprises paying a fee, viewing an advertisement content, and a location of the first device. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the rate of removing the mask layer is modified in response to one of the payment of a fee, the viewing of the advertisement, and the location of the first device. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first device is in the form of a mobile computing device. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the parameters of the snippet algorithm are further defined, at least in part, by actions taken by the intended recipient associated with the recipient device. 
     
     
       15. A non-transitory computer readable media having a set of instructions, which when executed, implement a method for fragmented presentation of a media content, comprising:
 transmitting, to a recipient device, a media content; 
 transmitting, to the recipient device, a remotely defined snippet algorithm for rendering the media content; 
 rendering the media content with a mask layer that obscures a presentation of the media content on a display of the recipient device, wherein the mask layer is operated according to the remotely defined snippet algorithm with the following parameters:
 a quantity of fragments for the mask layer, 
 a rate of fragment removal for the mask layer, and 
 an order of fragment removal for the mask layer, 
 wherein the parameters of the remotely defined snippet algorithm are determined, at least in part, by at least one of the following: a characteristic of the recipient device and a characteristic of an intended recipient associated with the recipient device, and wherein the parameters of the snippet algorithm are further defined, at least in part, by actions taken by the intended recipient associated with the recipient device; 
 
 removing the mask layer according to the parameters of the remotely configured snippet algorithm, wherein removal of a mask layer fragment operates to present a portion of the media content rendered below the fragment. 
 
     
     
       16. The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the snippet algorithm is modifiable, subsequent to the transmission of the media content, such that the removal of the mask layer is altered. 
     
     
       17. The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 15 , further comprising modifying the snippet algorithm in response to subsequent instructions received from a remote device. 
     
     
       18. The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 17 , wherein modifying the snippet algorithm comprises modifying the snippet algorithm in response to one of receiving payment of a fee, displaying an advertisement content, and determining a location of the recipient device. 
     
     
       19. The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 15 , further comprising enabling a conversation between a remote device transmitting the media content and the snippet algorithm and the recipient device. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the actions taken by the intended recipient comprise at least one of the following: the payment of a fee, the viewing of the advertisement, and the location of the first device.